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Chelsea 3-1 Everton
Quiet start so far with Chelsea just pushing the ball about. Feel there’ll be a lot of that today.
The teams, by the way
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Ramires, Sturridge, Drogba, Mata
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Osman, Cahill, Saha
Malouda broke through there but was bundled off the ball by Distin. Hint of a foul perhaps – and that would have been a red card.
Mata was surging forward there only to realise there were nine Everton players in front of 30 yards from goal. That’ll happen a lot today.
Saha cuts inside from the left and drills low and hard from the left. He’s got a good record against Chelsea.
Mata on the ball constantly for Chelsea.
A quiet game this at the moment as Chelsea probe and Everton keep shape.
Chance for Everton as Baines cross for Fellaini and just as he shapes to shoot from close range, Mikel gets his foot in.
Mata then picks the pocket of Hibbert – who has been poor – and feeds Ramires who blazes over.
Quick break from Chelsea there thanks to a beautiful ball over the top from Mata but Everton recover well again.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Everton
Deadlock broken to the wide smile of Andre Villas-Boas. Mata lofts a superb ball over to the top which Cole runs onto and squares for Sturridge who heads in.
And, you’d have to imagine – after 32 minutes – that is that. Everton’s game has been entirely predicated on frustrating such teams. Chelsea can comfortably knock it about now.
Everton have responded well and doggedly putting a few passes together. Stillhard to see them actually opening Chelsea though.
This is a dull, dull game.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Everton
The old stalwarts combine. Lampard floating in a free, Terry heading it down as he gets there ahead of Howard.
HALF-TIME: Chelsea 2-0 Everton
The ESPN panel are all standing like undertakers.
They are rightly enthusing about Mata though, who has been superb. It was his quarter-back pass that brought the first goal.
And the second half is off…
And Leon Osman immediately hits the post. Poor clearance from Ramires which lands at the number 21′s feet and he curls it just the wrong side.
It’s not been a great Premier League day today.Most of the matches have been atrocious. Even the one that was competitive – Liverpool v United – was staid and dull.
With eight games gone, who’s likeliest to win the league:
Poll Results:
Delightful pirouette from Sturridge there? Proving he’s a premium level player with every game. Have heard some opinions that Chelsea need to replace the likes of him. I’m not so sure. Think he gives a very different and dynamic dimension.
Coleman coming off for Drenthe. He did fall asleep for the first goal.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Everton
Easy as you like. Flowing counter-attack ends with Mata on the left who squares for Ramires to slide in.
Mata again supreme there. Started the move then set up the finish.
Bad news for Chelsea: Ramires hobbling off for Malouda
Drogba with a flick and driving run there and then just kind of bundles into trouble. He’s not the dominant powerhouse he once was.
Mata going off for Anelka.
*applause*
GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Everton
Fellaini with the knock-down from a set-piece, Drenthe drives forward and squares for Vellios to slot in. It’s inconsequential to the actual match. But I lose Bosingwa’s bonus points for a clean sheet.
Vellios scored that goal 18 seconds after coming on as a sub.
Oh, clean-cut Frank Lampard gets himself into a bit of scuffle with Phil Neville there. Lots of grappling.
In Spain, Messi has just put Barcelona 1-0 up to score his 102nd goal in his last 100 games for the club.
Full-time: Chelsea 3-1 Everton
Very little to actually learn from that game. It went exactly as expected with Everton defending doggedly until Chelsea scored. The pity was that it happened so early in the game.
That, however, was thanks to the magnificence of Mata who lofted a glorious ball over the top for Cole to create.
As for other notes from the game:
- Daniel Sturridge continued his rise as a genuine Champions League level player with an all-round performance and the opening goal
- Seamus Coleman wasn’t his usual self, falling asleep for Mata’s ball and Cole’s cross
- Vellios looks a fine signing for Everton with his second goal. This coming after 18 seconds. Given his impact and Everton’s lack of ingenuity, can’t be long until he is starting games.
